We stood outside the old farmhouse...the 150 year old floors had retained all the imprints of the many families who lived there before us... ...I told my daughter, Christin, "Go get Belle," ( her newly acquired Welsh pony) ,and bring her around here..." ...So she went to our old barn and brought the pony around to the front of our historic (first) house... ..."I took her lead rope and led her up to the front door... and everyone looked at me in amazement.

..."Dad, what are you doing...:" ..."Just watch me, now go open the back door..." ...and she did... ...I looked at my wife, Megan and daughter, Christin, and young son, Scott, and of course Gramma..... ...and I led the pony through the empty house. ...Her hoof prints left some indelible marks...and the hoof beats echoed throughout the house... ..."What are you doing" they all stared at me in utter amazement...

...This is my idea of a real franciscan blessing...I've lived all my life -till now- in places with signs that said

"No Pets/Animals Allowed.."...I hereby state that "All God's Creatures are allowed in this house... and those foot prints and sounds prove it..." ...they all laughed..."there is something wrong with you..." ...and I laughed and hugged Belle..."wait till we put a St. Francis statue in front of the stable... ...You haven't seen anything yet... ....Bring on the statue..."

This story is in Horse Tales for the Soul 5...